Link Aadhaar with SIM: A step by step guide to avoid deactivation

If your SIM cards are not linked to Aadhaar, it would be deactivated. The Centre has made it clear that all SIM cards must be linked with Aadhaar by February 2018.

The Centre said in a notice that Aadhaar mobile linkage was being done as per orders passed by the Supreme Court in February 2017 while hearing the Lokniti foundation case.

SIM cards have to be verified

All SIM Cards have to be verified within a year from the date of the judgement and all unlinked phones will be deactivated after Feb 2018.

The Centre added that the move would deter criminals, fraudsters and terrorists and added that biometrics or any personal data wouldn't be stored by mobile operators This court passed this order in February, when the Centre was asked to put in place an effective mechanism to verify identities of existing mobile users.

How to link SIM with Aadhaar

There can be two scenarios here. You are linking it for the first time. You have changed your phone number and want to update your Aadhaar data by replacing the old number with the new one. Here we provide you steps on how to link your SIM card with Aaadhar.

Linking your mobile number to Aadhaar for the first time

This needs to be done offline. Most online transactions are OTP (one-time-password) authenticated i.e. the OTP is sent to the registered mobile number.

Obviously, online authentication is not possible as you are linking your number for the first time. To do this offline you need to follow these steps:

Visit your nearest Aadhaar centre to get the Aadhar Update/Correction Form or download it from the UIDAI website.

Fill out the form correctly; submit it to the concerned person at the centre and mention on the form that only mobile number is to be updated.

While submitting the update form, along with photocopy of your Aadhaar card you also need to provide photocopy of an Identity proof document such as PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID card

Following the submission your biometrics will be verified at the enrolment centre. Your thumb impression will be verified. While applying for Aadhaar your biometrics were recorded and to authenticate the changes, they are verified.

After verifying the biometrics, you will be given an acknowledgement slip. Usually it takes 2-5 working days for the updation to happen but as per the UIDAI helpline the turnaround time for the updation is 10 days.

How to update mobile number

Updating the mobile number can be done online, but make sure that your existing number linked to your Aadhaar, is functional and handy before you go for the online update. This is because the OTP to authenticate the updation would be sent to your existing number.

You will be able link your new mobile number with Aadhaar only after submitting the OTP sent on your old number.

On the UIDAI website, there's an option under the Aadhaar Update tab that will redirect the user to the Aadhar Self-Service portal.

The OPT will be sent to your existing mobile number, and after submitting it you'll be redirected to a new page, where you can update the desired details.

Under 'Select field(s) to update', select 'Mobile Number'.

Now enter your new mobile number that you want to record in the database and submit. Hope this was helpful.

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